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Lakers Nation > Blog > Rumors > NBA Free Agency Rumors: LeBron James Signing With Team Other Than Lakers Or Cavaliers Would Be Shocking Decision
Rumors

NBA Free Agency Rumors: LeBron James Signing With Team Other Than Lakers Or Cavaliers Would Be Shocking Decision

Matthew Moreno
Published: 06/22/2018
4 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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When the 2017-18 season began and LeBron James only had one year remaining on his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, many already began looking ahead to NBA free agency. Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers had long been completing the groundwork to pursue the All-Star forward.

James has until June 29 to decide on $35.6 million player option for next season. It’s widely believed he will decline it, and join Paul George in being a coveted free agent this summer. Of course, James could opt in, like Chris Paul last year, to orchestrate a trade.

Under the presumption James will opt out of the final year on his deal, it had long been reported the Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers would emerge as his most-serious suitors.

Recent reports suggest James is not fond of Houston as a city, and will make a free agent decision, albeit at a deliberate pace, with his family’s feelings in mind.

During an appearance on “Mason and Ireland” on ESPN L.A. Radio, Dave McMenamin pegged the Cavaliers and Lakers as the favorites to sign James:

“That’s exactly how I would describe it. It really would be a shock to me like legitimate shock if there was another team that he went to.”

– @mcten on the race between L.A. and Cleveland for LeBron

(@VeniceMase & @LAIreland)

— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 22, 2018

“I just look at the Lakers like a blank canvas & they can make that team retro-fitted to the way LeBron would want it…you also have the appeal of obviously Southern California…& Magic Johnson is one of the most successful businessman ever to come out of the NBA.”

– @mcten

— ESPNLosAngeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 22, 2018

The Lakers have been considered a potential landing spot for James in large part because of their abundance of salary cap space and emerging young roster. The team could pair James with another star free agent in George, and/or complete a trade for Kawhi Leonard as well.

The Lakers may just as well sign James and George to blend them with their core group that’s already intact. Doing such would require them to move on from the prospect of re-signing restricted free agent Julius Randle, barring any surprising trade that included Luol Deng.

As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The updated Privacy & Cookies Policy will take effect on May 22, 2018. By using our services on or after that date, you’ll be agreeing to our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy. We recommend that you read our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy in full.

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TAGGED:Cleveland CavaliersLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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